or mapping strategy that adapts as data is collected.
Decisions about which samples to acquire and where
and when to travel next can be based upon metrics of
information gain. Similar metrics can also be used to
prioritize science data for download. Intelligent compression strategies use knowledge or models of content to interpret and summarize in a compact form.
The ultimate goal of science autonomy is to embody
sufficient understanding, quantified by models and
metrics, so that rovers can independently choose
actions that best support the scientific investigation
in which they are engaged. Rovers will take their
goals and guidance from scientists, but when isolated they should make scientifically rational decisions
and when in communication they should provide
the most relevant information possible.

These techniques and others will enable surface
rovers to achieve multiday autonomous operations.
Currently multiday rover plans do not travel over the
horizon of yesterday’s imagery, which limits the daily science yield. However, rover navigation already
permits safe over-the-horizon traverses, and in principle a rover could autonomously survey large areas
of terrain with its full suite of instruments. In one
natural arrangement, operators would direct the
rover using waypoints determined from satellite
images, relying on rover autonomy for low-level hazard avoidance and science target selection en route.